Combination-lock.



L. RIAL I w. HEBERN.

COMBINATION LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.II| 1916.

1,2%?, 150; Patented Nov. 20, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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WITNESSES:

L. RIAL & W. HEBERN.

COMBINATION LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED. DEC-11.1916.

- Patented Nov. 20, v1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- ,2 Q 7 WITNESSES: l'/l INVENTORS n .Zee l I/'ZZz'a/fz Efe-562471,

narran sra'rns Barnum ernten.

LEE RIAL, OF LOS ANGELES, AND WILLIAM YI-IIEIIBEXRN', 0F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

COMBINATION-LOCK.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

Application tiled December 11, 1916. Serial No. 136.203.

To all whom z' may concern:

Be it known that we, LEE RIAL, of Los Angeles, county of Los Angeles, and State of California, and VILLIAM HEBERN, of Oakland, county of Alameda, and State of California, citizens of the United States, have invented new and useful Improvements in Combination-Locks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a combination lock.

' cured in position.

One of the objects of the present invention is to .provide a simple, substantial, cheaply manufactured combination lock, which, although adapted for many uses, lis here shown as employed for the purpose of locking out the clutch on an automobile to render the engine useless. Another object of the invention is to `provide a combination lock which employs a plurality ofkeys, any one or any number of which may be employed in combination to open the lock. Further objects will hereinafter appear. Y

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more Jfully described andV claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of the lock, also showing the bracket by'which it is se- F ig. 2 is a detail horizontal section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of one end of the locking plate and the bar.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view, showing4 the application of the invention to the clutch of an automobile.

F ie. 5 is a horizontal section on line 5-5 of Fig. 6. Y

Fig. 6 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the front plate removed.

Fig. 7 is a vertical end section on line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a front view-of the key plate.

Fig. 9 is a cross section on line 9--9 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a perspective View. showing the relative positions of one of the keys and the key plate.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a part of the key plate. j

Fig. 12 is a cross section of thekey plate,

showing one kev in locking position and an-4 dicates `a rectangular-shaped casing,l interiorly of which is formed a chamber 2. This cylindrical extension 10 and formed on the,

end of each plate 7 and 8 is a guide 11, which projects into a chamber formed .in the projection 10.V VThese guiding members support the plates at one end and are always subjected to the pressureot` a spring 12 interposed be'tween said guiding members and the end of the chamber. The opposite end of the key plate is held in position by means of a bar 13 projecting through the casing and provided with a head14 on its" outer end, while the locking plate is supported by a pawl 15 which is adapted to be moved into or out of engagement with the locking bar 16. This locking bar is provided'vywith ratchet teeth 17, into or out of engagement with which the pawl isadapted to be moved, and it is. furthermore, provided with a head 1 8 and an adjusting c01- lar19.V

The locking bar as a whole projects through a cylindrical chamber 20 formed in one end of the main casing and is guided in this chamber by means of the collar 19; the bar 13 forming a stop with which the collar 19 engages to limit the upward movement of the locking bar, said upward Vmovement being transmitted through a spring ,21

interposed between the collar and the lower end of the cylindrical chamber 20.

Formed in the` front plate 3 is a central opening. through which ,projects a button 22. This button forms a part of the spring plate 9 and has formed interiorly lthereof a cylindrical chamber which inclcses the outer end of a stud 23 secured in the'opposite wall of the casing A. Formed on the stud, as at 24. is a collar and interposed 'between said collar and the end of the cylindrical cham-- ber in the button is a coil spring 25. This spring normally lexerts its pressure against the button or the plate and, therefore, nor- `mally serves thefunction of holding the Patented Nov. 20, 1917.

spring plate against the inner face of the front plate 3, as shown in Fig. 5.

Formed in the spring plate is a plurality of rectangular-shaped openings 26, and formed in the key plate in register therewithare similar openings 27. Extending through each pair of alined openings is a Ykey 2S, there being in the present instance twenty pairs of alined openings and therefore twenty keys in all, as shown in Fig. 1. Formed on each key is a pair of offset slots 249 and `30 which are adapted to be moved into or out of register with the slots in the key plate, and formed on each key is a collar 31 which engages with the front plate on one side and the spring plate 9 on the other side; the spring 25 having sufficient tension to held all the keys in the position shown in Fig'. 7 when the lock is not being operated and also having sutlicient tension to return any keys that may have been pushed in, as will hereinafter be described. Each individual key is supported at one end in the front plate 3 and at the opposite end in a pocket 32 formed in the inner face of the main casing A. Each individual key must,

therefore, extend through the spring plate and the key plate, and as the locking plate merely consists of a comparatively narrow bar, it can readily be seen that there will be no interference between the keys and said plate (see Fig. 7).

T he operation of the lock will be as follows:

lvVhen used as a clutch lock on an automobile, its position will be approximately such as shown in Fig. 4; that is, the lower end of the bar 16 is adapted to be projected into or out of register with the clutch collar 40, as shown, when this is moved into inoperative position. rl`he lock proper may be secured to the frame or Adoor of the car in any suitl Aable manner, but preferably as shown in Fig. 1. rfhis is accomplished as follows: A bar or plate 41 is first secured to the chassis or. frame 42 by means of a pair ofscrews 45. These screws extend into a plate 44 but not entirely through same.

A covering plate 45, haring a hook 4d formed on one end, is then placed on top of the plate 41 and two screws, such as indicated at 47, are inserted. These screws are provided with square shanks 48 at their upper ends which are adapted to be inserted sidewise into the casing, as shown in Fig. 2; that is.l the bottom portion of the casing is slotted to fit the Shanks 48, and as the heads 49 of the screws extend into the casing it can readily be seen that it will be impossible for anyone to remove the lock as a whole before the front plate 3 has been removed as said front plate, when in position, prevents the I 'casing from being slipped ott'.l of the square Shanks lof the screws. v y A ".l`o release the locking bar once it has been.

naa-raso lowered to engage the clutch collar 40 the following` operation is necessary: @ne or more of the keys 2S employed are normally positioned, as shown at o0 in lTiO. k12; that is, the slots 29 in these particular keys are out of register with the key plate and, therefore, prevent sidewise morement of the same. To bring said keys into register' with the key plate or the slots 29 into register, it is first necessary to operate the s plate 9. rhis is accomplished by pressing the button 22 inwardly to remove the spring tension from the keys. The particular keys as previously described, whose slots 29 are out of register with the key plate are then pressed inwardly as far as the recesses 32 in the inner face of the casing permit. T he slots 29 will then be in register with the key plate and as the remaining keys assume a position where they are already in register, it can readily be seen that the key plate may be moved sidewise in the direction of arrow o (see Fig. 6); this being acconn'ilished by applying pressure to the head 14.

The locking plate S will also move in unison with the key plate against the tension of spring 12 as pair of pins 52 is provided on the key plate for this purpose. rl`hese pins extend through slots 53 in the locking plate and movement of the key plate in the said locking bar to be raised or retracted by means of the spring` 21 which enga ges the collar 19; the upward increment of the bar 1G being limited by means of the collar 19 when the latter engages the bar 13. The clutch collar is in this manner released and can, therefore, function in thev usual manner when the pedal 60 is operated. Y

Vl`he locking plate, together with the key plate, will return to normal position the mo,- ment the head 14l is released, this being caused by the tension of the spring 12 which will immediately expand when the key plate is released. rl`he slots 53 in the locking plate are sufiiciently long to permit said plate to remain stationary if the pawl should not be in register with a tooth 17. A slight moyement of the bar 16 will immediately cause the locking plate to move int-o engagement the moment a register is secured. The provision of the collar 19 and the perforations 19a permit any adjustment desired to be Gmcmlered that the screws and47' can# not be tampered with or remo'ed excentjby.,

removing the frontplate This is of' conw si erable importance as it mightotherwise' Y.

be vvpossible to remove the lock as a whole.

In order to prevent the removal of the front plate 3 a similar novel arrangement has been provided. The screws 4, 5 and 6, Which secure this plate in position, are each provided with a square shank 4;, 5a and 6, respectively. These square shank portions are formed on the screws at a point where they extend through the key plate, andV as this in turn is provided with a square-shaped slot, as shown in Fig. 8, it becomes impossible to turn the screws except when the key plate is moved into releasing position. In other Words, it is necessary to know the combination of the lock before it is possible to move the plate into a position Where turning of the screws 4, 5 and 6 is possible to remove the front plate 3.

By referring to Fig. 7, it will be seen that each key Q8 is provided with ahead 28a which is suiiiciently long to extend'a considerable distance beyond the outer face of the front plate 3. These heads'are rectangular in shape, as shown in Figs. l and 7, and as it is only necessary to use two or three of the keys to open the combination, itis obvious that the constant use rof the lock will soon cause signs of Wear to show; This wouldV immediately expose the combination, as anyone could readily see that these particular keys were the ones which must necessarily be'operated When the lock is to be opened. of any such Wear, it is preferable to provide rectangular openings in the ront'plate 3 to such an extent that no vvear can take place at this point. v The rectangularcollars 3l employed form a snug fit with relation to the front plate and as these are on the inside of the plate and receive all the Wear, it is impossible to detect which keys are operated. Again, if any key does' become worn to such an extent that itmight give away the combination, it is possible to change the same at any time by removing the front plate and turning the keys over; that is, by turning the kev desired to a position where the slot SO will be lowermost and the slot 29 uppermost, any number of the keys may thus be changed and consequently the combination may be changed at any time desired.

`While vthe lock is here shown as used for the purpose of locking the clutch collar on an automobile, it is obvious that it might be used for the purpose ot' locking the gears or anv other part of the mechanism and also that it might be used for doors or any other purpose desired. We also Wish it understood that the materials and finish of fthe several parts ofthe device are such as the experience and judgment of the manu* facturer may dictate.

XVe wish it understood .that various changes in form, proportions and minor details of Vconstruction may be resorted to To prevent the showing" within the scope of the appended claims and that We 'do not wish to limit ourselves to the speciic design and construction here shown. i

lHaving thus describedv our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl l. A combination lock comprising a cas-` ing, a key plate slidably mounted in the casing, a plurality of keys normally assuming a locked positron With relation to the key plate to lock the latter against sliding movement, a plurality of keys normally assuming an unlocked position With relation tothe keyplate, the locking keys being mov' able toa position where sliding movement of the key plate is permitted, a spring plate 'f normally .adapted to hold the locking keys in locking position, and means for moving said spring plate to release the locking keys to permit the same to be moved to releasing position.

v 2. A combination Alock comprising a casing, a key plate slidably mounted inthe casing, a plurality of keys normally assuming a locked position with relation to the key plate to lock the latter against sliding movement, a plurality of keys normally assuming an unlocked position with relation to the key plate. the locking Vkeys being movable'to a position where sliding movement of the key i plate is permitted, a plate normallyadapted to hold the locking keys in locking position, means for moving the second-named plate to release thev locking keys to permit the sameto be moved-lo releasing position, and f means for returning the second-named plate to simultaneously move the locking keys back to locking position.

3. A combination lock comprising a casing, a key plate slidably mounted in the casing, a plurality of keys normally assuming a locked position with relation to the key plate to lock the latter against sliding movement, said keys being movable to a position where sliding movement of the key plate is'permitted. a -front plate 'forming a closurel for the casing, said plate having openings formed therein. through which one Vend of each key extends, screws securing said plate to the casing, and a shank formed on each screw with which the key plate is engageable to secure the screws against turn` ingmovement.

4. A combination lock comprising a casing, a key plate slidably mounted in the casing,.a pluralitv of kevs normally assuming a locked position with relation to the key plate to lock the latter against sliding innove-` ment, saidl keys being movable to a position Where sliding movement of the key plate is permitted, a front plate forming a closure for the casing, said plate having openings formed therein through which one end of each key extends,- serevvs securing said plateV tothe casing', each screw having a shankthrough the casing' to perm't the casing to be secured to a support said casing having slots formed there n through which the second-named screws extend, and each second named scren7 having a flattened shank and head on each screw positioned interiorily of the casing and inclosed therein by the iront plate.

5. The combination with a casing having a locking mechansm mounted therein, of a front plate inclosing said mechanism secured to the easing, and a plurality of screws extending through slots formed in one side of the casing to permit the latter to befsecured to a support, each screw having a flattened shank and head thereon to secure it against turning' movement, said heads and Shanks being positioned interiorly of the casing and inclosed by the front plate.

6. A combination lock comprising a casing having a chamber formed there'n, a front plate forming a closure 'for said chamber. a key plate having a plurality of openings formed therein slidably mounted lengthwise Within the chamber, said front plate having openings formed theren positioned in alinement with the openings in the key plate, a plurality of keys slidably mounted in the casing at right angles to the key plate, said keys extending through the openings in the trent plate and key plate and there being one key for each pair of alined openings and each key having a slot formed therein which when in alinement with the key plate permits sliding movement thereof, each individual key `being movable to bring the slotted portion thereof into or out of alinement with the key4 plate, and means extending through said front plate exteriorly of the casing for moving the key plate.

7. combination lock comprising a casing having a chamber formed therein, a front plate forming alclosure tor said chamber, a key plate having a plurality of openings formed therein slidably mounted lengthwiseyvithn the chamber, said front plate having openings 'formed therein positioned in alinement with the openings in :the key plate, a plu'ralityof keys slidably mounted in the vcas'ng' atright angles to the key plate, said keys' extending tlnough` the openings in the iront-plate and key plate and therevbeing one key for each pairot alined openings and eachkey hav-- ing-ayslot formed ltherein which Whenin linement with the key-,plate permits` slid-. n

ingg-movernent thereof, each individual key being' movable to ybringthe .slottedl portionv` :thereof into onout v-,ot,.alinernerut with, ,the i aparato key plate, lmeans extending through said` front plate exteriorly of the casing for moving the key plate, and a locking` plate having` a pawl formed on one end adapted to move in unison with the key plate.

8. A combination lock comprising` a casing having a chamber formed therein, a front plate forming a closure for said chamber, a key plate having a plurality of openings formed therein lidably mounted.' lengthwise Within the chamber, said front plate having openings formed therein positioned in alinement With the openings in the key plate, a plurality of keys slidably mounted in the casing at right angles to the key plate, `sa'd keys extendingthrough the openings in the front plate Vand key .I plate and there being one key for each pair of alinedopenings and each key having a,v slot formed therein Whichwhen in alinement with the key plate permits sliding movement thereof, each individual key being movable to bring the slotted portion thereof into or out of alinement with the key plate, means extending exteriorly ot the casing for moving the key plate, a locking plate having a pawl formed on one end adapted to move in unison With the key plate, and a lock'ng bar extending through the casing adapted to be engaged by the paivl and locked against movement.

9. A combination lock, comprising a casing, a key plate slidable therein; a ,plurality of keys operatively associated with said key plate, to control its sliding movements, certain of said keys occupying an unlocking position ivith relation to said plate to permit its movement, and certain other keys,v depending upon the combination of the lock, normally assuming a locked position with relation to the plate to prevent such movement ybut movable to a position to release, said plate; all ot' said keys being removably and reversibly mounted to permit new group ot `keys to be positioned Jfor locking action, so as to change the combination of the lock -at will; a plate` normally adapted t to hold the locking keys in locking position;

means for moving vthe second-named plate to release the locking keys to permit the Same to be moved to releasing position; and means.'

for, returning *saidy second-named plateto simultaneously move the locking keys back with a pairof separate notches adapted $0131.25;

alternative `(3o-'action with the corresponding5v opening, to control the slidingv movements,

ot' said plate. certainof said keys occupying a position whereinvtheir active 'notches 1 aline with saidropenmgs so as :to permit the move-1;.-

ment ot' said plate, and certain other keys, depending upon the combination of the lock, normally assuming a position wherein their active notches are out of alinement with said openings and prevent such movement, the last-named keys being movable to bring their said active notches into such alinement; all of said keys being removably and reversibly mounted to permit the active relation of the notches of any selected lkey to the corresponding opening to be changed, thereby to change the combination of the lock at Will; a plate normally ladapted to hold the locking keys in locking position; means for moving the second-named plate to release the locking keys to permit the same to be moved to releasing position; and means for returning said second-named plate to simultaneously move the locking keys back to locking position.

1l. A combination lock, comprising a casing; a key plate slidable therein and formed with a plurality of openings; a plurality of keys, one for each opening, extending through said openings and provided each With a pair of notches formed in the upper and lower surfaces thereof at points out of vertical alinement with each other, said notches adapted for alternative co-action with said openings to control the sliding movements ot' said plate, certain of said keys occupying a position wherein their active notches aline With the corresponding openings in said plate so as to permit the movement of the latter, and certain other keys, depending upon the combination of the lock, normally assuming a position wherein their active notches are out of alinement with their openings and prevent such movement, the last-named keys being movable to bring their said active notches into such alinement; all of said keys being removably and reversibly mounted to permit either notch of any selected key to be brought into active relation to its respective opening, thereby to change the combinationl of the lock at Will; a plate normally adapted to hold the locking keys in locking position; means for moving the second-named plate to release the locking keys to permit the same to be moved to releasing position; and means for returning said second-named plate to simultaneously move the locking keys back to locking position.

12. A combination lock, comprising a casing; a key plate'slidable therein; a member for moving said plate projecting exteriorly of the casing; a locking plate connected to move in unison with said key plate; a locking bar movable relatively to said key and locking plates into and out of locking position` and normally engaged and held 1n such position by said locking plate; and a Aplurality of keys operatively associated with Vand release.

13. A combination lock; comprising a casing; a key plate slidable sidevvise therein; a member tor moving said plate projecting exteriorly of the casing; a locking plate connected to move in unison with said key plate; a vertical locking bar movable end- Wise relatively to said key and locking plates into and out of locking position and normally engaged and held in such position by said locking plate; and a plurality or' keys operatively associated With said key plate andnormally assuming a locked position with relation to the same, to prevent the sliding movement of the key and locking plates and the consequent release of said bar, but movable to a position to unlock said plates, so as to permit such movement and release.

14. A combination lock, comprising a casing; a key plate slidable sidewise therein: a member `,tor moving said plate projecting exteriorly of the casing; a locking plate connected to move lin unison with said ke y plate and provided with a pawl; a lockingbar movable at right angles to said key and lock-v ing plates into and out of locking positionV and provided adjacent said Pavvl with a series of teeth for interchangeable engagement thereby, to hold said bar in its locking position; and a plurality of keys operatively associated With said key plate and normally assuming a locked position with relation to the same, to prevent the sliding movement of the key and locking plates and the consequent release of saidteeth from said' pawl, but movable to a position to unlock said plates, so as to permit such movement and release.

In testimony Where-of We have hereunto set our hands.

LEE RIAL. WILLIAM HEBER-N.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of relents, Washington, D. C 

